China's Minority Peoples - The Lahus

With a population of 411,476, the Lahus live m close communities in Simao, Lincang in the Lanchang River Valley, Xishuanghanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, and Honghe Hani-Yi Autonomous Prefecture.

The Lahus make their home in a subtropical mountain area. The climate is cool in summer and warm m winter. In the Lanchang area, rivers meander in high mountains, which are productive and picturesque land rich in various resources.

With two major branches-the Lahuna, and Lahuxi, the Lahus are descendants of the ancient Di and Qiang peoples and have close ties with the Yis. In the historical documents of the Qing Dynasty, the Lahus were called "Luohei", but they call themselves "Lahu" meaning "roast tiger". The name shows that the Lahus used to be a hunting tribe. The Kucong people are another branch of the Lahus. After the founding of new China, they were formally called the Lahu Nationality.

The Lahu language belongs to the Yi branch of the Tibet-Burman group of the Sino-Tibetan family. Many Lahus can speak both Chinese and the Dai language. The written form of the Lahu language was created by a western missionary. Later, on the basis of this system, Romanization writing became prevalent.

The Lahus are excellent improvisators. Their music uses reed pipes and three-stringed plucked instruments. With repeat stamping and swaying to the left, Lahu dances are dramatic and colorful. For example, the traditional reed pipe dance has about 30 to 40 styles. The Lahus love to make Tuopuke (a riddle in the form of poetry). Celebrating the Torch festival is traditional.